Do I have to submit the original documents for evidence of US citizenship and evidence of relationship or can I provide photocopies?

Question: My child is a minor under 16 and born outside of the US (in Taiwan). As Evidence of U.S. Citizenship I will present his Certificate of Citizenship (issued in the US) and as Evidence of Relationship I will present an English birth certificate issued by the hospital in Taiwan bearing both parents' names. Do these documentation have to be the original documents, or can I submit photocopies? Thank you.

Answer: The documents that you submit must be original documents or certified copies. Certified copies can be obtained through the official issuing agency for each document. Photocopies are not accepted.

If you are concerned about the possible loss of these documents, understand that only on rare occasions does this happen. There are a couple of things you can do to increase the chances that the documents will not be damaged nor lost in transit.